Mineral Springs MS10 Spring Start Up

[JCMSr]

Began the Spring startup about 3 days ago. Took water samples to my local pool dealer and made the necessary corrections to get everything in balance. Salt levels when tested showed to be right at 3000 ppm. Started the SWG and the readout said the PPM was only 1000. Added 4 bags of salt and the readout is now at 1300. At this rate I would have to add 10-12 more bags just to be at the minimum required 2500 PPM. Not sure if there is a problem with the cell or not but am afraid to add more salt before having water retested. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Obviously the indicator lights for Low Minerals and Inspect Cell are steady illuminated. Already checked cell which was clean. System was first installed in November 2007 and has only been used for about 8 months total.

[waste]

Welcome to the forum!

I suspect that there is an issue with the cell Any chance the pool company has a 'loaner' cell so you can test yours?

If not, PM me - I can send you a 5 year old cell that I salvaged and tell you how to test your cell

[JCMSr]

Thanks for the offer "waste". As luck would have it my pool company is closed for the holiday and will not reopen until Tuesday at which time I plan to go by and take another water sample for them to test. Right now everything seems to be within acceptable range but if the cell is not working I will need to add some chlorine the old fashioned way. Will let you know if they have a loaner at that time.

[JCMSr]

Here's the latest update on my problems with the Mineral Springs SWG. This morning I contacted Goldline Controls and explained in detail the problem as well as the steps taken to date to see if I could get the SWG to work. Based upon this information they informed me that it was most probable that the cell had gone bad. They asked for the serial number from the cell which I provided at which time they informed me that the unit had been manufactured in 2001 and thus was out of warranty. I thought I was going to pop a cork since the unit and cell were first installed in November 2007. Apparently the pool company sold me a six year old unit! Next I visited with the pool company and had the water retested. As expected the salt levels were high since we already added four 40# bags a few days ago even though the first readings showed us to be at 3000 PPM. As to possibly using a loaner cell to test the system they no longer sell this brand of SWG and do not stock the replacement cells due to their high cost ( $645 Suggested Retail). They indicated that in their opinion the cell might not be bad and suggested a few more steps to try before ordering a replacement which I am in the process of doing. Should that not work
it looks like I am going to have to get ugly with the pool company and see what they will do about a replacement. Had the cell not been out of date I should be able to get a replacement at 40% of retail under the 5 year warranty. That would be much more reasonable, however, I still do not like the fact that after only 7 months of use the cell has gone bad. Plus I apparently have no warranty on the panel, circuit boards, etc.